5.

This is a strange situation. We are debating the budget again and nothing has really changed since last week.

The Scottish Parliament information centre estimates that the increase in council tax revenue around Scotland will be roughly 21 per cent

We have never argued that the council tax should be scrapped.

Is Mark Ruskell seriously claiming that no council will have to make cuts on the back of this so-called deal?

Councils are being forced to increase council tax because of years of underfunding by this Government.

Local government has been hit, as always. Council tax bills are going up and services will be poorer.

Will the member take an intervention?

The announcement in the draft budget of an extra £300 million for 2021-22 is welcome, but that is enough to deliver only less than half o

Will the member take an intervention?